QuickBooks Online vs Xero

QuickBooks Online and Xero are the leading cloud accounting tools for small businesses.

Feature	QuickBooks Online Free trial	Xero Free trial
Best for	Small businesses and their accountants, especially in the US.	Small businesses that want clean, cloud-first accounting.
Pricing	Paid plans with a free trial.	Paid plans with a free trial.
Platforms	Web, iOS, Android	Web, iOS, Android
Covers	Accounting software	Accounting software
Key features	Invoicing and payments Bank feeds and reconciliation Expenses and receipts Reports Payroll add-on	Invoicing Bank reconciliation Bills and expenses Multi-currency (higher plans) 1,000+ integrations
Strengths	Accountants know it well Huge app ecosystem Full-featured	Clean interface Unlimited users Strong app marketplace
Weaknesses	Prices have risen Customer support mixed	Entry plans have limits Payroll varies by country

Choose QuickBooks Online if…

You are in the US and want the software most accountants and bookkeepers already know.

Choose Xero if…

You are in the UK, Australia or New Zealand, or want unlimited users and a cleaner interface.

Our verdict

Both are excellent. In the US, QuickBooks is the safer default; elsewhere Xero is often the better fit. Ask your accountant which they prefer.

Features and pricing change often. Check both vendors' websites for current plans before you buy.